The North-West University (NWU) is celebrating one of its own as Lesego Molema, a final-year student at the Mahikeng Campus, prepares to step onto the national stage for the second consecutive year.
Lesego, who is pursuing a BScHons degree in animal science, has once again been nominated for the prestigious Student of the Year Award at the South African Agricultural Awards, with the ceremony scheduled to take place at the Sandton Convention Centre on 16 October 2026.
For the young man whose journey began in Jouberton Extension 21 in Klerksdorp, the nomination represents more than recognition. It is another chapter in a story of ambition, resilience, service and determination.
Being nominated once is an achievement. Being nominated for a second consecutive year speaks to something deeper – consistency, commitment and a sustained pursuit of excellence.
From Jouberton to the lecture halls of the Mahikeng Campus and now to national recognition, Lesego's journey is a powerful reminder that where one begins does not have to determine where one ends.
“Your background may be where your journey begins, but it does not have to determine where your journey ends,” is the moving message reflected in his journey.
While pursuing his degree, Lesego has distinguished himself not only academically, but also as a committed student leader. During the 2025/26 student leadership term, he served as the Student Campus Council fundraising and RAG officer, as well as the Student Representative Council societies and international students’ officer.
However, Lesego's contribution to the university community cannot simply be measured by the titles he held. “Leadership is not defined by a title, but by the difference one makes in the lives of others,” he says.
Before the conclusion of his term on 20 August 2026, Lesego placed student welfare and opportunity creation at the centre of his leadership. One of his most significant contributions was his ability to build relationships and secure partnerships that directly benefited students.
Through his fundraising and stakeholder engagement efforts, he secured support from the Valor Motor Group towards the Return of Freshers initiative and the feeding of first-year students.
His commitment to student welfare was particularly evident during the Registration and Orientation programme of the university. Through support secured from Blue Ribbon and Albany, approximately 1 389 first-year students benefited from meals.
Lesego also contributed towards securing sponsorship for Inter-Res activities, helping to strengthen student engagement and participation in campus life. His achievements demonstrate that student leadership requires more than attending meetings and holding office. “It is about turning ideas into opportunities and opportunities into meaningful change,” he says.
Lesego's second consecutive nomination is also a proud moment for the NWU.
As an animal science student, he is preparing to enter a sector that remains critical to food security, agricultural development and economic growth in South Africa.
His academic training, combined with his leadership experience and ability to engage stakeholders, has helped shape him into a well-rounded young professional prepared for the demands of the world beyond university. “There is a generation of young leaders emerging who understand that success is not only about personal achievement, but also about creating opportunities for others,” Lesego says.
For the NWU, his nomination represents more than individual recognition. It contributes to the growing reputation of the university for developing graduates capable of making an impact beyond the lecture hall.
As Lesego prepares for the South African Agricultural Awards, he stands as an example to young people who may believe that their circumstances define the limits of their ambitions. From Jouberton Extension 21, he has pursued opportunities that have taken him into student leadership, academic development and national recognition. His story demonstrates that success is not determined by where one starts, but by the courage to pursue opportunities and the discipline to remain committed to one's goals.
As his student leadership term came to an end on 20 August, the impact of his work remained visible in the partnerships he helped establish, the initiatives he supported and the students who benefited from opportunities created through collective efforts.
Today, as he continues his academic journey and prepares for another moment of national recognition, Lesego is representing more than himself. He represents the aspirations of young people from communities such as Jouberton. He represents the potential of student leadership when it is driven by service.
He also represents the commitment of the NWU to developing graduates who are prepared to make an impact beyond the classroom. On 16 October 2026, Lesego will once again stand among the promising young talents in agriculture in South Africa at the Sandton Convention Centre. Whether he takes home the Student of the Year Award or not, his second consecutive nomination has already told a remarkable story.
It is the story of a young man from Jouberton who refused to allow his background to define his destination. It is the story of a student who understood that leadership means service. And it is the story of an emerging agricultural professional who continues to push beyond every boundary placed before him.
